We recently connected with Caitlin Sloan and have shared our conversation below.

Caitlin, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

Growing up, I always felt fully supported by my parents. I didn’t start dancing until I was ten and it was only a few years later that I was fully invested in training for a professional career. I was dancing six days a week, plus performances, competitions, auditions, and summer intensives. It was all-encompassing, but my parents knew I was serious about making ballet my career and did everything they could to make it happen for me.

One moment that particularly stands out is when I received my very first contract to join a professional ballet company. It was an unpaid traineeship on the other side of the country. I went back and forth about it for weeks, knowing this was going to be a hard road, and not sure if I dared to take the leap. The deadline to sign was looming, and I still hadn’t made a decision. One morning, my Dad took me out for breakfast to hash it out. He is incredibly pragmatic and I’ve always known him to be one to make the “sensible” choice. After listening to me talk about all the reasons why I shouldn’t go, he just looked at me and said “You have to do this. You’ve been working for this your whole life – you have to try.” I had fully been expecting my no-nonsense Dad to encourage me to keep my feet planted and wait for a more stable option, and yet here he was encouraging me to fly. Within a few months, I had packed all my belongings and we embarked upon a three-day road trip to my new home in the Southwest – the start of my nine-year professional ballet career.

Without the kick in the pants I needed, my career might have been over before it even started. As I’ve progressed in my field, the knowledge that my parents are in my corner rooting for me has given me the courage to push beyond my self-perceived limits. I’ve gained confidence in putting myself out there, knowing that I have a safe space to land when I fall flat on my face. Now that I have kids, I hope to give them the same gift my parents gave me – a stable base of support, unshakeable belief in their abilities, and a little nudge in the right direction when the time comes.

Caitlin, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Here’s a little bit about me:

I started dancing when I was ten years old and spent my formative years training at the Rochester School of Dance in Michigan

I received my Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Grand Valley State University and my Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of Missouri

I was a professional ballet dancer for 9 years (Missouri Contemporary Ballet, Ballet Tucson, Grand Rapids Dance Project)

I currently live in Madison, WI, and am on staff as a Ballet Instructor at the School of Madison Ballet

Most important of all: My passion is helping aspiring ballerinas develop the skills they need to thrive in a professional ballet career both on and off the stage.

I founded The Brainy Ballerina, a virtual resource providing support and guidance for aspiring ballet dancers, in 2019 following my professional dance career. Through 1-1 career mentorship, virtual private lessons, and digital resources, I help dancers gain the skills necessary to build a smart and sustainable career in the dance industry.

I know how it feels to be uncertain, confused, and frustrated by a process that doesn’t always make sense. When I entered the world of professional dance, I had the technique, the artistry, and the passion. What I didn’t have was industry knowledge. While I was fortunate to have many wonderful mentors in my life, I didn’t have someone solely dedicated to helping me navigate the business side of dance. For many dancers I work with, this is the missing puzzle piece to helping them break into the dance industry with less stress and more joy!

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My goal is to empower dancers to take control of their careers. Historically, ballet training is designed to make dancers fall in line. We are taught from a young age to do as we’re told and not make waves. This training ekes out from the studio and into how we approach our careers. We come to believe the narrative that we are replaceable, which leads to fear of asking questions and speaking up about subpar working conditions and bad company practices. I want all dancers to know that they don’t have to accept this kind of treatment in their careers. There is a job out there where they will find mutual respect, artistic fulfillment, and a safe space to develop not only physically, but mentally and emotionally as well.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

When I first started The Brainy Ballerina, I was so scared to show my face on social media. I didn’t want anyone to know it was me – I was suffering from major imposter syndrome! Of course, my social presence and in turn my business growth were at a total standstill. Then one day I saw this quote: “There are people less qualified than you, doing things you want to do because they believe in themselves and take action.” Whoa – talk about a major mindset shift. It takes almost constant self-talk, but I have to remind myself that I have something to offer that is completely unique to my experience and background. As soon as I found the courage to show my face, share personal stories about my journey and truly connect with my followers, my page blew up. We can be so obsessed with cultivating the perfect online presence that we forget to make an authentic human connection. Even when it feels like you’re talking into the void, remember that there is someone out there who desperately needs to hear what you’re saying. Keep going – you will connect with the people who were meant to find you!

Contact Info:

• Website: thebrainyballerina.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina
• Facebook: facebook.com/thebrainyballerina
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-brainy-ballerina/

Image Credits
Scott Shy, Jeff Bassinson, Nichole Manner, Paige Cassaza